NMFS Alaska Region Scale and Catch Weighing Requirements

OMB Control No: 0648-0330	ICR Reference No: 202010-0648-005
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201909-0648-003
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NMFS Alaska Region Scale and Catch Weighing Requirements
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/06/2020

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2021
Responses	46,037	48,154
Time Burden (Hours)	4,198	10,110
Cost Burden (Dollars)	694,088	812,371

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Abstract: The At-Sea Scales Program provides catch accounting methods that are more precise and verifiable at the level of the individual haul and less dependent on estimates generated by at-sea observers. This program is necessary due to the large-scale catch share programs that require NMFS to provide verifiable and defensible estimates of quota harvest. This program includes all trawl catcher/processors participating in the catch share programs in Alaska waters. This program also includes freezer longliners participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) Pacific cod fisheries. Shoreside processors participating in catch share programs have many of the same catch accounting and monitoring goals. However, differences require unique monitoring tools to obtain precise and verifiable catch amounts for quota management. Because of the wide variations in factory layout, a performance-based catch monitoring system is more appropriate for shoreside processors than a type approval process used for at-sea scales. Catch Monitoring and Control Plans (CMCPs) and Crab Monitoring Plans (CMPs) are submitted by the representative from the shoreside processor and approved by NMFS. CMCPs and CMPs detail a series of performance based standards set out in regulation that ensure that all delivered catch can be effectively monitored. These information collections provide the benefits of allowing vessels to fully harvest the total allowable catch in a catch share program while ensuring these fisheries can be adequately monitored.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1801 et seq. Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 36566	06/17/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 71060	11/06/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 25

IC Title Form No. Form Name Video Monitoring System (maintenance) Printed output flow scale, calibration log Video monitoring CMCP Observer notification of CDQ, pollock and rockfish delivery Printed output of flow scale, catch weight Notification of Pacific cod freezer longline monitoring option NA Notification of Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Monitoring Option CMCP printed record from scale Catch monitor and control plan addendum Inspection requests (observer sampling station, video bin monitoring, and at-sea scales) NA Inspection Request Records of daily flow scale tests NA Record of daily flow scale tests CMP printed record from scale Catch monitoring plan NA Crab Catch Monitoring Plan template Printed output flow scale, fault log Printed output hopper scale, catch wt Catch monitoring plan addendum NA Catch monitoring plan template Catch monitoring and control plan Printed output hopper scale, audit trail Printed output flow scale, audit trail Daily records from hopper scale test NA Daily records from hopper scale test Notify observer of flow scale tests Video Monitoring System: Halibut Deck Sorting - Initial Year Observer Deck Sampling Stations - Initial Scale type evaluations At- sea scales - maintenance Observer Deck Sampling Stations - Annual Maintenance

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	46,037	48,154	0	0	-2,117	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,198	10,110	0	0	-5,912	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	694,088	812,371	0	0	-118,283	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Adjustments to the respondents and responses reflect the most current data and have resulted in changes to the total burden hours, labor costs, and miscellaneous costs. Additional reasons for adjustments are noted in the tables in the Supporting Statement. In the Supporting Statement for the previous renewal, the maintenance for Video Monitoring Systems (non-halibut deck sorting) and Video Monitoring Systems - Halibut were reported jointly, which resulted in some duplication. These items were split in this current renewal in order to increase clarity.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $187,867

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Gabrielle Aberle 907 586-7356

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 11/06/2020

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